A/HRC/20/24/Add.1 has thus contributed substantially to the country’s economy and development. In the words of one interlocutor: “migration has been the most important element of Albania’s social development for the last years”. Based on the National Strategy on Migration 2005–2010, Albania has moved towards a more holistic migration policy based on the rights of migrants, investment of remittances, and the development of a legal and policy framework. With the economic downturn in Europe, official remittances have declined sharply since 2008, however, prompting many Albanians to return to the country. 5. Sustainable return through reintegration support is a priority – but also a main challenge – of the country’s current migration policy, pursuant to the Strategy on Reintegration of Returned Albanian citizens 2010–2015.4 The strategy was developed in the framework of the 2005 Readmission Agreement concluded with the European Union and concerns primarily Albanians forcibly returned under the Agreement, but also third country nationals. Albania has been identified by the European Union as a top third country in the fight against irregular migration. Current migration policies are thus closely interconnected and shaped by Albania’s aspirations of integration into the European Union and, conversely, by accession requirements of the European Union. The Readmission Agreement – signed pursuant to the 2006 Stabilization and Association Agreement concluded with the European Union – preceded the decision of visa liberalization for Albanian citizens in the Schengen area in December 2010. In line with these agreements, national migration efforts focus on fighting illegal migration, managing recurrent migration flows through promoting bilateral labour agreements with European Union member States, fighting the brain drain phenomenon and ensuring equal treatment of citizens of other countries who reside legally in the Albanian territory. 5 6. Irregular migration from Albania has decreased in recent years. While law enforcement efforts have successfully reduced cross-border trafficking, internal trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation and begging is reportedly on the rise, “particularly in connection with migration from rural areas to towns and seasonal migration to places of tourism”.6 While still predominantly a country of origin, Albania is also a country of transit for migrants from Africa, Asia and the Middle East seeking greater fortune in life in Europe and, increasingly, an immigration destination due to its proximity to the European Union.7 However, internal migration from rural to urban areas is on the increase due to a lingering socio-economic divide.8 7. As acknowledged by the Government, “managing external and internal migration remains a major development challenge”. 9 Similarly, Albania encounters major challenges in ensuring the protection and promotion of the human rights of all three groups of migrants assessed by the Special Rapporteur during his visit – Albanians abroad, returning Albanians and foreigners in Albania. 4 5 6 7 8 9 Albania, “Strategy on reintegration of returned Albanian citizens 2010–2015” (2010), pp. 3 and 6. Albania, National strategy for Development and Integration 2007–2013 (2008), p. 35. Council of Europe, Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), document GRETA(2011)22, report concerning the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention of Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by Albania, para. 10. Information and Communication Policy Document, p. 12. Albania and the United Nations, Programme of Cooperation 2012–2016, p. 12. Ibid., p. 11. 5